I have 2018 Toyota Camry XSE V6 and bought it brand new. I have been following the maintenance schedule: tire rotations and engine oil and filter replaced every 5k and 10k miles respectively. I just got to 60,000 miles and need my spark plugs to be replaced because it’s the V6 model and also need to get a transmission fluid change. I’m going to be moving to the North Houston soon and I am assuming I will have more choices on mechanics there than where I live now in Tupelo, MS. I am afraid Fred Haas Toyota (the largest Toyota dealership in my area in Houston) dealerships are a scam and will up charge me. What should I do?
I go to both. Sometimes the dealers give better deals than local mechanics on basics like oil changed and brake jobs.
Dealers use them as loss leaders and upsell you on other stuff. Some of it legit. Most of it unecessary.
Then I go to my Indy mechanic which usually beats the dealer on everything else.
I would find a local mechanic to work on the Camry, or if you follow Scotty’s DIY videos you can do it yourself. That being said and since the power train warranty is still intact make sure you have everything documented (using only OEM parts) if you go the local mechanic/DIY route. That way if you have to go to the dealer for warranty work you have proof you were on top of the maintenance. I don’t like to take anything for granted even though it’s a Toyota and you “should” not need to have to use the power train warranty. I’ve had friends and co-workers go this route and they had no issue going to a dealer for warranty work.
I want to do the DIY route but with my no experience I’m intimidated by the fact that I could ruin my car because of a simple mistake that I will most likely pull. I want to take it to a mech but I have no idea where to start when it comes to finding one.
If you find a good mechanic, it can be a lot cheaper.
Do you have any recommendations in the Spring Houston area?
Unfortunately not. Try asking people you know who is their mechanic.
Perhaps Scotty's tips will help you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZbAi7bfMNw
The dealers around me are pretty good. But I've heard that some can be really bad. Ask around and find out, or walk in there and ask some questions, do some reconnaissance. See if they set off your spidey sense. Also, the dealer might be good for certain kinds of work, but not others.
For basic things like plugs + ATF, just find any good local shop.
I am scared of trusting the local shops here. I have learned that relying on the competence of the people here in my area has not impressed me. Even taking it to the dealer makes me question their service technicians. Doing the DIY route would be great but I don’t see very many videos on my car on how to do the specific services.
Try to find a good honest mechanic, and try to do most of the work yourself, like now that can be done relatively easily especially with the help or scotty and other diy videos. Scotty would probably know some good mechanics in Houston, hopefully he see this.
Houston related topics
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/used-cars-in-houston/
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/need-a-good-mechanic-in-houston-for-2003-highlander/